Kamov's helicopters: all models. Photo and specifications

The first Kamov (Ka) helicopters took off in the distant 1953. On April 14, the multipurpose helicopter Ka-15 became a pioneer of mass production, created in the experimental design bureau (OKB) named after Nikolai Ilyich Kamov. The bureau of the well-known designer repeatedly proved in practice its consistency and practicality of the chosen schemes. One of the distinguishing features of the OKOV Kamov helicopters is the coaxial screws. This feature allowed the use of machines in different spheres and areas (army, medicine, rescue and other equally important industries).

From the first flight more than 60 years have passed, and the helicopters of the firm "Kamov" are still very popular. In the hands of Russian military aviation, this is a formidable and effective weapon capable of carrying out the most complex combat missions.

Ka-15

First time Kamov helicopters were developed exclusively for the Navy. For a long time, the coaxial screw circuit was the hallmark of the design bureau. It allowed to receive well-controlled and high-quality helicopters at the output, and all these advantages proved themselves at relatively small dimensions of the machines.

One of the first and successful lines of the OKB "Kamov" technique is Ka-15 helicopters. The NATO statists gave this car an insulting codification of "chicken". It was this ship's two-seater helicopter that became the first model for the conveyor belt and was released in 354 copies.

The development of the line was carried out from the mid-fifties of the last century. The design scheme and design features were approved by the navy in early 1952. Kamov (the designer of helicopters) understood that the car would be used on ship equipment, so he made the model very compact and relatively light. Along its length, the Ka-15 is almost twice as small as the smallest modification of the Mi-1. And designers have managed to fit in such a small device all the equipment necessary for flights.

The military tests of two models (single-screw Mi-1 and co-axial Ka-15) on the cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov showed very impressive results for Kamov's technique. If the Mi-1 was markedly limited in flights from the ship deck due to the steering propeller and a long tail boom, the Ka-15 quite successfully took off and sat on a small platform due to its small size, and in six-point marine conditions.

As a result of the tests, the Soviet sailors finally became convinced that the air technology of the ship type could not be avoided without the co-axial scheme, which the Kamov helicopters (all models) possessed.

Combat units of the Navy were equipped with OKB Kamov machines since 1957. Despite the good flying performance, the model was ineffective as an anti-submarine technique, and this at that time was a priority. One car could pick up only two sonar buoys (tracking enemy submarines), the control equipment was loaded into another helicopter, and in the third there were deep-sea bombs. The system is extremely uncomfortable, so in 1963 the naval column abandoned Ka-15 in favor of new developments by the same OKB.

Model specifications

Flight and technical parameters of the helicopter Ka-15:

• The ceiling is 3500 m.
• Range is 278 km.
• The maximum manned speed is 155 km / h.
• The maximum takeoff mass is 1460 kg.
• Crew - 1 person.
• The load is 300 kg or 2 people.
• The diameter of the main screw is 9.96 m.
• The length of the frame is 6.26 m.

Ka-25

Kamov's helicopters of the 25th series are anti-submarine vehicles of naval type. This model became the key to the formation of OKB and domestic naval aviation in general. The Ka-25 was developed as a tool for conducting combat operations with nuclear submarines of a probable enemy.

For the first time on the models of such a plan, a radar station with a circular survey was installed to carry out military tasks over non-oriented water surface. Due to its versatility and sensible design, Kamov's 25th series helicopters have been in our fleet for almost 30 years.

The first flight of the Ka-25 took place on May 20, 1961, and four years later the car was put on the conveyor in Ulan-Ude. Until 1969, the model was the only multi-purpose helicopter, which has no analogues in the domestic aviation industry. But after the Soviet designers introduced the new combat helicopter Mi-24, Kamov helicopters (see photo in the article) began to fly in the company of Mile cars.

Helikopter Ka-25 became an excellent military aid for sailors and completely satisfied them. The series was in service with our navy until 1991, and the modification with target designation (Ka-25C) - until the mid-90's. In total, you can count 18 variations of the series for different purposes and areas. During the entire operation of the machines (1965-1973), about 460 units of Ka-25 equipment were assembled.

Machine Features

Flight performance of the Ka-25 helicopter:

• The ceiling is 4000 m.
• Range - 650 km.
• The maximum manned speed is 220 km / h.
• The maximum takeoff mass is 7500 kg.
• Crew - 2 people.
• The cargo is 1100 kg.
• Passengers - 12 people.
• The diameter of the main screw is 15.74 m.
• The length of the frame is 9.75 m.
• The height of the car is 5.37 m.

Ka-50

By the beginning of the 80s of the last century in the USSR the main military combat helicopter was the model of the Mil-Mi-24 designer. The "old man" is still in the arsenal of our forces, but already at that time the military leadership considered that this machine did not meet all the army's requests.

The Mi-24s were created according to the concept of "flying BMP". That is, the machine was able not only to conduct assault actions, but also, if necessary, relocate the division of the paratroopers. This universality, of course, affected the combat qualities of the Mile technique. Moreover, Soviet intelligence agents increasingly came across information about the development and field testing of a new model of the US Air Force - the attack helicopter AN-64 "Apache".

The design bureau carefully weighed the information received and responded to the development of Americans with a similar Ka-50 "Black Shark" percussion machine. Kamov's helicopters of the 50th series were released in June 1982 and became a real masterpiece of domestic military aviation, although they did not receive a real ticket to life.

Helicopter Features

The model became a full-fledged shock unit, which coped well with the destruction of armored vehicles, engineering structures and the liquidation of enemy forces on the battlefield. A single car with a customary coaxial scheme was equipped with a landing gear system and a catapult on a rocket-parachute principle. Such a system allowed the pilot to safely leave the helicopter at speeds up to 400 km / h with a height of not more than 4000 meters without minimum restrictions.

Innovative at the time, composite materials, which accounted for about a third of the weight of the entire design of the machine, significantly reduced the total weight compared to the previous generation of helicopters. Also it allowed to increase the working life of individual units, and at the same time the reliability and survivability of machinery.

Russian helicopters "Kamov" under the name "Black Shark" were produced in a small series by the piece. The last copies were put into service by the Russian Federation in 2009. In total, 15 Ka-50 machines can be read, including test equipment. By and large, this model has become an invaluable experience for OKB Kamov, allowing in the field to work out innovative technologies and new army equipment.

Characteristics of the helicopter

Flight performance of the Ka-50 helicopter:

• The ceiling is 5500 m.
• Range is 1160 km.
• The maximum manned speed is 390 km / h.
• The maximum mass at take-off is 10 800 kg.
• Crew - 1 person.
• The load is 2000 kg.
• The diameter of the main screw is 14.5 m.
• The length of the frame is 13.5 m.

Ka-52

The experience gained from the development of the Ka-50 was fully realized in the new multi-purpose impact machine Ka-52 "Alligator". The fate of the latest generation of Kamov helicopters can be called more successful.

Judging by the data provided by the Russian Air Force, there are 72 Ka-52 units in service with our army. Moreover, the military entered into a long-term contract with Kamov Design Bureau, implying the equipping with equipment until 2020 (about 150 multi-purpose attack helicopters of the Alligator type).

Distinctive features

The main difference between the new Ka-52 and the "Black Shark" is the appearance of the second pilot and the full flight capability at any time of the day, in any weather. It should be noted that the last generation of the Ka-50 could not conduct combat operations in the night.

Modification of the "Alligator" by about 85% was unified with the Ka-50. The new Ka-52 got the power plant, the tail and middle part of the fuselage, a wing with a bearing system and a tail unit with a chassis. The front part of the helicopter has slightly increased, so that the second pilot can find a place. As the pilot rescue system, the same rocket-parachute catapult as in the Black Shark is used. Serious update received instrumentation in the cockpit. Now there are modern liquid crystal displays instead of traditional electromechanical indicators.

With the advent of the second pilot, the car became more reliable, since the load on the crew was divided in two. Moreover, the designers considered it more rational to place the pilots not as a tandem (one after another), as practiced in other attack helicopters, but shoulder to shoulder. Due to this arrangement of the crew, the coordination of work has significantly increased and there is no need to install an additional instrument panel, and this is a reduction in the weight of the entire structure and minimization of duplicate interference on the instruments.

The first flight of the Alligator took place at the end of June 1997. The machine got to the conveyor only at the end of 2008 thanks to the production facilities of the Progress plant located in the small town of Arsenyev. State tests at military training grounds were completed by 2011, and at the same time, the Ka-52 entered the arsenal of the Russian aviation units.

Purpose of the machine

"Alligator" is designed to conduct combat operations in all weather conditions and is able to eliminate the armored vehicles of the enemy along with the enemy's live force, and also to confront enemy helicopters in tactical depth.

In addition, the Ka-52 confidently proved itself in reconnaissance operations. It can perform hardware target designation and targeting on the equipment that interacts with it (combat aircraft and ground forces). The machine is able to provide a fire cover for the landing, patrol the terrain and accompany any columns for both peaceful and military purposes. To date, this is the pride of Russian aviation and a universal military tool that is capable of carrying out a huge number of combat missions, and at a respectable distance from the point of deployment.

Basic indicators of the model

Flight performance of the Ka-52 helicopter:

• The ceiling is 5500 m.
• Range is 1160 km.
• The maximum manned speed is 300 km / h.
• The maximum mass at take-off is 10 400 kg.
• Crew - 2 people.
• The load is 2000 kg.
• The diameter of the main screw is 14.5 m.
• The length of the frame is 14.2 m.